where are we at in the rut?

[RidgeHunter]

Lots of ruttish activity the last few days seen by our crew, both on the road and on the lease.

I saw 2 bucks nose to the ground this morning, and then walking out saw what I think was a buck holed up with a doe. Couldn't see a rack on the second deer (first was a doe) but the behavior was exactly like that scene I've seen many times before.

 

[BOTLDPONY]

saw a decent shooter buck in the front yard tonight (after sunset) running two does, nose to the ground grunting. did not care about me standing out there does noticed me but he did not care about me.

going in the woods sat woot!

be back sunday if empty handed will take the one at the house

 

[dennishoddy]

just curious as to what people are seeing right now? still in bach groups, seperating, scrapes, and rubbing, fighting?

what it boils down to is it to early to start rattiling? and is this weekend and next weekend going to be real good for ML as the temps are falling esp next weekend H50 L37.

Here ya go! From the ODW website:


Here ya go!

NORTHWEST
The northwest region of Oklahoma is famed for its excellent deer hunting — not to mention big deer — and biologists believe opening weekend will be timed well with rutting activity.
Drought has had an impact on food and water availability in the region. All spring and summer food plot plantings on northwestern wildlife management areas failed, and water and food availability in the region is limited. However, fall food plots on WMAs and wheat fields in the area appear to have benefited from recent rains and are reportedly in fair condition.
According to Steve Conrady, northwest region wildlife supervisor for the Wildlife Department, rut activity in the northwest region is “fairly consistent” year to year, and most reports so far indicate that only the early stages of rutting activity have occurred. These signs include immature bucks sparring and chasing unreceptive does, and increased activity at scrapes.
“The general consensus is that the deer rut will be very near the peak by opening weekend of deer gun season,” Conrady said.
According to Eddie Wilson, Wildlife Department biologists stationed at Cooper and Ft. Supply WMAs, the deer rut in his area “usually kicks off somewhere between Nov. 15-20.”
“With the dark of the moon coinciding with opening weekend, hunting should be good,” Wilson said.
According to Weston Storer, biologist stationed at Beaver River, Optima, Rita Blanca and Schultz WMAs, the Panhandle has received some needed rain, but forage is limited. Storer said young bucks are showing early rutting activity.
“On Nov. 10, in the middle of the day, a buck destroyed both my archery targets in my backyard,” said Storer, who expects the rut to be in “full swing” by the opening weekend of gun season on Beaver River WMA.
According to bowhunters using Canton WMA during the weekend of Nov. 12-13, deer movement has continued to remain “very slow,” with most deer activity taking place during the last hour of legal shooting light. Kyle Johnson, biologist stationed at Canton, said rattling has drawn attention from young bucks, and scrapes are being actively visited after shooting hours.
“At this point, it looks favorable that at least the early part of the deer gun season should be very good for rut activity,” Johnson said.

NORTHEAST
Rutting activity in the northeast region may be more underway than in the northwest, with reports that bucks of all age classes “are chasing hard.” According to Craig Endicott, northeast region wildlife supervisor for the Wildlife Department, the rut may already be reaching its peak, but breeding activity will likely remain strong through the first week of rifle season.
“Movement of deer is on the rise, with bucks chasing does throughout the day,” Endicott said. “Most movements have been observed in areas with good food availability.”
Endicott expects deer activity to continue to pick up with the onset of coming cold fronts, rain and cooler temperatures.
“Hunters should be patient and stay in the woods as long as they can,” Endicott said. “Bucks will be cruising all day looking for that first receptive doe. Remember to scout. Look for good food sources, especially acorns, which can be in short supply. Locate some good trails to set up on that have seen very recent use.”
Endicott said successful public lands hunters are those who spend lots of time scouting.
“There is good hunting on the WMAs, but with the high usage associated with these areas, hunters need to scout for some less used corners and back areas. Try targeting bedding areas that will hold does and keep an eye out for signs of buck activity such as rubs and scrapes. Rutting on WMAs is really gearing up. Remember, be patient and spend time in the woods or on the stand. If you are hoping to harvest a mature buck, let the young ones pass.”

SOUTHEAST
“If it keeps going the way it is, gun season is going to hit it right on the nose,” said Joe Hemphill about the rut in southeast Oklahoma. Hemphill, southeast region wildlife supervisor for the Wildlife Department, said controlled hunts at McAlester Army Ammunition Plan have had smaller harvest numbers this year than in years past, and said there has yet to be much buck activity in the region.
Hemphill suspects the extended period of high heat at the end of the summer may have “backed everything off,” but he did say that despite the heat and drought, food sources are available.
“There are remarkably more acorns than you would think,” he said, adding that hunters who find acorns or good water sources may be in luck.
With opening day just days away, rutting activity may be timed just right for southeast region hunters.

SOUTHWEST
The rut is beginning to build in intensity, according to Rod Smith, southwest region wildlife supervisor for the Wildlife Department.
“In the past few days, bucks apparently in search of does have been observed during daylight hours,” Smith said. “Since the deer rut appears on the upswing, we may experience near peak rut conditions during the opening week of deer gun season.”
Smith said availability of native food sources for deer have been abnormally low, but like in other regions, recent rains have increased the availability of certain fall food sources. Still, areas with agricultural crops may be a good place for hunters to start.
Deer have also been underweight compared to normal, which Smith said could be contributing to later-than-normal rutting activity, along with warmer weather during the first part of November.
“Because the rut is just now getting ‘into the swing,’ hunters should look for new scrapes and other sign that could appear at any time,” Smith said, adding that “hunters should revisit areas that may not have had much sign a week or two ago.”
With most of the region still in the “exceptional” or “extreme” drought category, Smith said deer distribution might appear different than in years when there is no drought. Recent rain has resulted in winter wheat germination and growth in food plots on WMAs in the region.

CENTRAL
Like in some other parts of the state, reports from hunters and Wildlife Department personnel in the central region indicate the rut is slightly behind the “normal” schedule.
“Rutting has picked up the second week of November, with some bucks seen chasing does and an increase in the number of road kill deer,” said Jeff Pennington, central region wildlife supervisor for the Wildlife Department. “It appears that opening weekend of deer gun season will occur at or very near the peak of the rut.”
Pennington said 2011 drought conditions had a negative effect on food production in the region, but that overall deer activity has been higher this fall due to the associated nutritional stress.
“Despite the terribly dry conditions, patchy portions of the region produced a surprising number of acorns,” Pennington said. “Locations that still have good acorns will be prime hunting spots during gun season as drought-stressed deer try to replenish energy reserves. While the region is still in drought status, there have been sufficient fall rains in most areas to get wheat fields up and growing. In areas with no acorns, deer are already heavily using these fields.”
While drought is never considered good for wildlife, Pennington did say the drought limited the height of grasses and other vegetation, which could increase hunter visibility this year.
“If the weather cooperates, I look for the 2011 gun season to provide excellent hunting conditions in the central region due to the late peak of the rut, the limited food availability, and reduced cover,” Pennington said.

 

[dubs chops]

I was at the farm in Locust grove yesterday, About 30 miles from siloam springs on Hwy 412. I had a nice big 8pt chasing a doe locked on to her last night when I went to check my cams. I drove up to within 50 yards of him and he would just look at me then back to the doe. Every time she would move he would chase her down.

 

[mr ed]

all the deer I have seen this week were not coming to the food plots til 11 am.
so make sure you guys don't give up too early and go back to camp for lunch.

 

[Lone Wolf '49]

Myself, I have been unable to get out last several weeks, but my concern right now is the wind. Where I go opening weekend is not quite as windy as OKC but will have some wind tomorrow and less on Sunday. I have seen the young ones out in the wind, but not the older ones, what are your thoughts guys on this wind thing?

 

[dennishoddy]

Myself, I have been unable to get out last several weeks, but my concern right now is the wind. Where I go opening weekend is not quite as windy as OKC but will have some wind tomorrow and less on Sunday. I have seen the young ones out in the wind, but not the older ones, what are your thoughts guys on this wind thing?

I went out twice today in these 40mph winds, and both times saw does and bucks on the neighbors harvested bean field. The does didn't even seem interested in the buck, and bolted everytime he came close. Nice 10 point. I hope the neighbor lets him live another year.
Missed a nice tom turkey at 40 yds with the bow in the wind. Aimed a foot in front of him, and the arrow stuck in the ground a foot behind him. Wind/arrows suck. Got there late tonight, and the turkey were already in the food plot bugging. had to shoo them off to get in the stand.

 

[okieshooter777]

Watched a 1.5 yearl old buck dog a doe this evening. Then bed down next to her, when she tried running away he chased her down. I think it is just now heating up east of Norman.
Wednesday in the strong north wind had a nice buck at camera at noon!

 

[Okie4570]

I would have to say after sitting from 0615-1045 and 1345-1745 today, north central oklahoma is 100% in chase mode. Deer moved at all times when in the stand. No shooters this morning but lots of entertaining chasing. This evening I sat in a different locating because of wind change and still saw lots of chasing, also saw two shooters and they were wandering by themselves, wasn't able to come up with a shot at either one. Back after it tomorrow.

 

[Porter]

all the deer I have seen this week were not coming to the food plots til 11 am.
so make sure you guys don't give up too early and go back to camp for lunch.

The buck I killed last weekend was right at 11, and I had a buddy kill one Wednesday at straight up 11 as well.